Frankfurt Auto Show Opens

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Today, 15 September, one of the world’s largest motor shows, the IAA, opens its doors in Frankfurt.

Despite the global economic turbulence, the IAA International Motor Show is prepared to welcome more than 1,000 exhibitors from 32 countries to Frankfurt. As carmakers put finishing touches to their technical presentations, insiders are feeling bullish about the car industry’s prospects. Indeed, while the global economic situation and talk of a new recession has rattled many sectors, carmakers are riding out the turbulence fairly well.

The global automobile market is expected to grow by 6 percent this year, and German carmakers in particular are confident that the upward trend will continue. In the first eight months of this year, German automakers exported just under 3 million passenger cars, an increase of 8 percent from the previous year and a new record. Carmakers will unveil 89 world premieres at the 64th IAA in Frankfurt. Audi, Opel, BMW, Porsche and Daimler will all roll out new models. Mini, part of the BMW group, will showcase its fifth model, the Mini Coupe. It will also present its “Mini inspired by Goodwood”, an exclusive model created by the design team at Rolls Royce.

Volkswagen will exhibit a total of 54 vehicles and premiere its new small car called the “up!”, which aims to take a bit of the action from Daimler’s successful Smart microcar, which is popular among eco-conscious drivers in areas where parking is a problem. Skoda would reveal its MissionL. This promises, according to the Czech carmaker, kicks off skoda’s model offensive for the coming years, enabling the automaker to accomplish its goal of increasing global annual sale to 1.5 million vehicles by 2018.

Fast rising brand, Kia, will be bringing a dramatic rear wheel drive four-door sedan called GT. As for what is under the GT, it is based on the Hyundai Genesis saloon with a big V8 engine under the hood. Hyundai would use its i30, a vehicle the company expects will build on the success of the original models, thanks to enhanced design, quality performance to woo customers. Honda too is not left out as it previews the new Honda Civic while Renault and Subaru come with Frendzy and Subaru XV respectively while Toyota showcases its new Avensis and Prius models.

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